Finding my balance
Special Mental Health Awareness Month Article
HollyAnn Swann is a final-year PharmD candidate at the Marshall University School of Pharmacy.
Before pharmacy school, running was already part of my identity. I competed in collegiate track and field at Marshall University, where the sport taught me discipline, resilience, and how to pursue goals that once felt impossible. During pharmacy school, however, running transformed from competition into something deeper: an outlet for balance, community, and personal growth.
Like many student pharmacists, the demands of coursework, leadership roles, and professional development can quickly become overwhelming. For me, trail running became a way to step outside of the classroom and reconnect with something simple and grounding. There is something uniquely freeing about running on a trail without pace expectations, no stadium lights, just miles of quiet forest and the rhythm of your own footsteps.
Learning the long run
Over time, my curiosity turned into a passion for ultramarathons. The idea of running distances longer than a traditional marathon may sound intimidating, but ultrarunning is less about speed and more about perseverance. It teaches patience, adaptability, and mental strength (all of which are qualities that translate surprisingly well into pharmacy practice). Whether you’re navigating a difficult rotation or preparing for a challenging exam, the same mindset applies: focus on the next step forward.
Helping others go further
Another unexpected joy that grew from my running journey has been coaching other athletes. Helping someone accomplish a goal they once thought was out of reach, whether that’s finishing their first race or setting a personal best, has been incredibly rewarding. Coaching reminds me that progress looks different for everyone, and sometimes the greatest victories are simply showing up and trying again. No path is linear, and the same can be said for all areas of life.
Miles that give back
This passion for movement and well-being has also shaped my involvement within my pharmacy school community. As part of our school’s wellness committee, I helped organize the inaugural “Dose of Color 5K” this past fall. The event brought students, faculty, and community members together to celebrate health and wellness while raising more than $1,700 for our local Ronald McDonald House Charity. Watching participants cross the finish line felt like a full-circle moment. Running had once been my personal outlet, and now it had become a way to inspire and support others.
The next generation
At home, my two young daughters are also beginning to see what perseverance looks like in real time. When they are cheering from the sidelines, they remind me that the example we set through our passions can shape the next generation in powerful ways. Looking ahead, I hope to pursue a residency and specialize in pediatric pharmacy. Becoming a parent has given me an even deeper appreciation for the strength and resilience of children and their families during difficult health journeys.
Watching my own daughters grow and explore the world reminds me how important compassionate care and advocacy can be for young patients. Just as running has taught me patience, perseverance, and the value of steady progress, I hope to bring those same lessons into my future practice while supporting children and families through some of their most challenging moments.
Where the trail leads
Running ultramarathons may seem like an unusual hobby for a student pharmacist, but more times than not I relate the lessons I have learned on the trails back to school and life. It constantly reminds me of an important lesson: Meaningful goals rarely happen all at once. They happen one step, one mile, and one moment of perseverance at a time.